You are as unique as your background, experience and point of view. Here, you’ll be encouraged, empowered and challenged to be your best self. You'll work with dynamic colleagues - experts in their fields - who are eager to share their knowledge with you. Your leaders will inspire and help you reach your potential and soar to new heights. Every day, you'll have new and exciting opportunities to make life brighter for our Clients - who are at the heart of everything we do. Discover how you can make a difference in the lives of individuals, families and communities around the world.

Job Description:

Reporting to the AVP, Global Human Resources Shared Services, the Director Payroll Operations provides strategic and innovative leadership for the Canadian and the U.S. Payroll operations and acts as a subject matter expert for Global HR Payroll teams.

The Director will have responsibility for overseeing the North American payroll and accounting functions, deliverables associated with processing payroll and ensuring compliance with applicable legislation and corporate policies, act as the primary relationship manager with our Payroll Service provider ADP and will work/consult with Global HR and business partners as required as a Payroll subject matter expert. This role will also be accountable for coordinating all audit, governance and oversight for the payroll function and work closely with HRSS, Sun Life Internal Controls, Audit, HR Risk Management, vendors and business teams to ensure controls and tracking/monitoring are in place along with appropriate reporting. This role will also be accountable to identify and implement operational performance and service excellence that will help evolve the HR Support Model.

What will you do?

• Oversee the timely preparation, processing, maintenance and appropriate distribution of payroll information, payroll reports, all tax year-end reports, payroll manuals and related Payroll working instructions
• Provide thought leadership and guidance around advancing new HR operations and capabilities that are value-driven and create operational efficiencies; remain current with industry advancements in Human Resources and continuously innovate
• Strong relationships with key leaders across HR, including Strategic People Analytics, Total Rewards, HR Technology, HR Governance, Human Resources Business Partners and external vendors
• Implement, monitor and report on SLAs, KPIs and Dashboards
• Partner with HR Technology to explore up and coming solutions involving Artificial Intelligence, machine learning and Robotic Process Automation and implement tools to increase processing efficiency, enhance employee experience, process outcomes and management reporting
• Review internal and external risk, governance and audit controls (SOX, etc.) and recommend changes to enhance integrity of outputs to the payroll processes. Participate in internal and external audits for Payroll/HR Services and vendors
• Review and approve Quarterly Key Performance Indicators related to account reconciliations, user system access, Integration errors and system audits
• Monitor legislative changes (in partnership with our payroll provider and Taxation Departments) to ensure our payroll systems and processes are accurate and in compliance
• Oversight of the Vendor relationship with Sun Life’s Payroll provider ADP, ensuring adequate process controls, effective partner relationships, and
• Drive initiatives to optimize Best Practices within accountability area including systems and platforms to improve the employee experience, elimination of manual work, drive efficiency, and improve processes and controls

What do you need to succeed?

• Effective organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills
• Excellent knowledge of North American Payroll processes (Canada, US), experience with ADP GlobalView and/or other payroll systems
• Experience in payroll accounting (general ledger entries, reconciliations, etc.) and Financial systems (Oracle, etc.)
• Service-orientation and high degree of client focus, ability to lead change and engage, develop and motivate teams
• Ability to plan, prioritize and execute multiple projects and initiatives within established timelines, leveraging data analytics insights to drive action
• Strong conflict negotiation skills, with the ability to influence and resolve difficult situations
• Inspiring leadership skills, demonstrated ability to manage change in an ambiguous environment, leading with “data first & data driven insights and decisions”
• Highly motivated, strong business acumen; strategic and results oriented with a continuous improvement focus
• Proven track record in thought leadership, creating and implementing a holistic transformation strategy within a payroll function
• Excellent change & project management, organization, planning and time management skills with a proven ability to prioritize work
• Highly motivated, strong business acumen; strategic and results oriented with a continuous improvement focus

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, Human Resources or related field
• Minimum of 10+ years HR and 7+ years progressive payroll experience in a management role, including supervision of staff
• Experience with Agile & Design thinking & process improvement methodologies and knowledge of the full project life cycle is an asset
• Previous experience with mergers & acquisitions an asset
• Payroll certification or equivalent is an asset

NOTE: Fully Remote and open to ALL locations across Canada, Hartford, CT, Wellesley, MA and Portland, ME.

What's in it for you?

• Great Place to Work® Certified in Canada and the US - 2022
• Great Place to Work® list for Best Workplaces for #HybridWork – 2022
• Great Place to Work® list for Best Workplaces for Professional Development in Canada – 2022
• Great Place to Work® list for Best Workplaces in Canada – 2022
• Named “Best Places to Work” by Glassdoor - 2021
• Canada Award for Excellence for Mental Health at Work - 2021
• Flexible hybrid work model including in-country (Canada) work-from-home if you prefer. .
• Pension, stock and savings programs to help build and enhance your future financial security
• Work and professional development that is united by our Purpose: to help Clients and Employees achieve lifetime financial security and live healthier lives
• A friendly, collaborative and inclusive culture
• Be part of our continuous improvement journey in developing the next greatest digital enterprise experience.
• Competitive salary and bonus structure influenced by market range data
• A common sense dress code, where you decide how you dress based on your day
• The opportunity to move along a variety of career paths with amazing networking potential

#LI-remote

The Base Pay range is for the primary location for which the job is posted. It may vary depending on the work location of the successful candidate or other factors. In addition to Base Pay, eligible Sun Life employees participate in various incentive plans, payment under which is discretionary and subject to individual and company performance. Certain sales focused roles have sales incentive plans based on individual or group sales results.

Diversity and inclusion have always been at the core of our values at Sun Life. A diverse workforce with wide perspectives and creative ideas benefits our clients, the communities where we operate and all of us as colleagues. We welcome applications from qualified individuals from all backgrounds.

Persons with disabilities who need accommodation in the application process or those needing job postings in an alternative format may e-mail a request to thebrightside@sunlife.com.

At Sun Life we strive to create a flexible work environment where our employees are empowered to do their best work. Several flexible work options are available and can be discussed throughout the selection process depending on the role requirements and individual needs.

We thank all applicants for showing an interest in this position. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

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